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Had 1979 GT Mustang w/a 302, 2bbl carb, loooong wimpy gearing, pain in the a$$ Michelin TRX tires.
You had to go to the aftermarket for decent exhaust, induction, traction, etc.
This Mustang was typical of what was being offered up as a "Muscle Car" of that era.
Lame.
In 1985, I purchased a new Mustang GT it had a 4bbl, headers,traction bars, 3.73 diff, roller cam...All o.e.m.
Only mod I did to that one, was put a spray bar NOS on it.
We were getting better
Todays offerings are above and beyond all that with traction control, active suspension,ABS,HP and economy (relatively) .. so good, they are almost boring
I sure hope the greenies don't drive the industry backwards again.
Axle ratios in ‘85 were 2.73:1 (standard) and 3.08:1 (optional) for the 5-speed and 3.27:1 (standard - no options) for the AOD.
I had an '83 Five-Oh several years ago. Except it was a GL hatchback, which is the same as the LX hatchback. No GT junk to weigh it down, really nothing in there (radio delete option). But power steering & brakes were standard. I bought it nearly broke down, put in new shocks, brakes, tires, timing kit and oil pump, then proceeded to 100% de-smog then upgrade to offroad carb, intake & exhaust which really opened up the middle & upper RPMs. That thing would haul ass on the street, and do some serious burnouts. Many days I wish I still had it, wondering if the 18 year old I sold it to proceeded to wrap it around a tree.
yeah when I was in high school in the mid-late 90's the most popular car was the 5.0 mustang and well most 16 and 17 year olds that had them either beat the snot out of them or ended up crashing them and writing them off. speaking of gears I remeber must used ones had the stock 2.73 and 3.08 swaped out fro 3.73 and 4.10 but the 3.73 swap was the must common
Hmm, my '83 had a 3.08 rear (stock 7.5") with the manual trans. I couldn't tell you if that was an option. When I was done with it I could still reach nearly 50 mph in 1st gear, 85 in 2nd.
As far as I understand, those cars had skinny tires so the rear ends wouldn't break. A lot of people broke those gears by slapping on fat, grippy tires in the back. Being a 7.5" didn't help any.
Hmm, my '83 had a 3.08 rear (stock 7.5") with the manual trans. I couldn't tell you if that was an option. When I was done with it I could still reach nearly 50 mph in 1st gear, 85 in 2nd.
As far as I understand, those cars had skinny tires so the rear ends wouldn't break. A lot of people broke those gears by slapping on fat, grippy tires in the back. Being a 7.5" didn't help any.
that sucks you had the 7.5 because later on ford went to the stout 8.8 which could take alot of abuse so much they still use it today in 2010 mustang GT's
i owned an 83 GT in high school...i drove the **** out of that stang. and yes, completely stock and would hit 75mph in 2nd gear...i would shread tire bits when power shifting into second gear! upsizing the tires wasn't a good idea in retrospect.
yeah
I belive it was 86 as it was the first year for 5.0 EFI HO then 87 they updated the styling to the aero front end
You are correct; 1985 was the last year for a carbureted Mustang GT; I owned one from new, and it was a very reliable, enjoyable car. It was, however, awful in the snow, even with smaller wheels and 4 snow tires.
I 'm a GTO lover as well, I have a 2004 model, and love it!
You are correct; 1985 was the last year for a carbureted Mustang GT; I owned one from new, and it was a very reliable, enjoyable car. It was, however, awful in the snow, even with smaller wheels and 4 snow tires.
I 'm a GTO lover as well, I have a 2004 model, and love it!
Yeah my Mustang wintertime experiences had the unintended consequence of turning me into a 4x4 truck owner.
I seem to remember a few drives where the car was sideways the whole trip.
I think they messed up the styling with the aero cladding on the 86's.
Looked like an afterthought in an attempt to keep the car fresh without a major re-do.
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